NBA Trade Rumors: Celtics Want Two First Round Picks For Rajon Rondo

For teams looking to land a point guard, the good news is just three days before the trade deadline, the Boston Celtics are now willing to offer up All-Star guard Rajon Rondo.

Just know that it’s going to cost you… dearly. Fansided.com is reporting the Celts are seeking two unprotected first-round draft picks in exchange for the 27-year-old Rondo. Under any circumstances that seems a steep price, but given the veteran guard is coming off major ACL surgery makes the price seem all the more extravagant.

Just what sort of market might exist for the four-time All-Star, particularly given the asking price remains a mystery, especially when you consider the New York Knicks, the one team that has consistently expressed the most interest in Rondo, won’t have a first round pick until the 2018 season.

Rondo has played in just 10 games for Boston this season, averaging 10 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in just over 27 minutes. Over his last three seasons, however, he’s averaged a double-double, including at least 11.1 assists in each of those seasons.

Now in his eighth season, Rondo has averaged 11 points, eight assists, and five rebounds over his career, while also establishing himself as one of the league’s top defenders at his position. The three-time league steals leader’s best full season came in 2009-10, when he notched 14 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds per night.

Without Rondo to man the helm, the Celtics have experienced more than their share of growing pains this season. Under rookie coach Brad Stevens, Boston currently stands at 19-35 and out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture as the No. 12 seed.

With the early stages of a franchise rebuild already in motion, management seems to have now committed to the idea of getting as much as they can for Rondo while building around a 24-year-old average-aged core of Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger and Avery Bradley.